Totally agree Rockford. Let's not clog up our system anymore than it already is with a 42 cent theft. Maybe he can wear a sign and clean toilets at the mall for a month.

Unfortunately, hundreds of tax dollars will be used to prosecute this. I expect he is still sitting in jail if he was hard up enough to grab change from the mall fountain, there is no way he will be able to come up with bond.

Jetaime's suggestion that this guy
clean toilets for a month at the mall for taking 42 cents from a fountain seems a bit extreme. If you throw money into a fountain aren't you giving it away?

Maybe he needed change. He tossed a silver dollar in and took back 58 cents. I didn't know this was a crime; at least not an enforcible one. What a waste of tax money. Probably need to eliminate more police positions to pay for it..

I'll bet he does more time in jail than Samir Cabrera for allegedly 'stealing' millions from others.

Jobs are difficult to find these days. What if he was hungry? It's not like he robbed somebody. It's a victimless crime, if a crime at all.

Thats about what it costs per day to feed an inmate at CC jail. The county is already in the hole on this guy. Let him go, there are bigger fish to fry.

Excellent use of law enforcement resources

Maybe he needed to use the pay phone.

This a complete waste of time. It was .42 cents. Get over it. There are alot of people out there that do much worse and they are running free. Nobody was hurt or killed.

Where does the money go anyway? Can someone tell me.

Lets hope this joker is a well known criminal or there's some other reason we're wasting time and money on him.

Maybe he wanted to mail a letter? It cost more in gas to drive him to the clink than he actually "stole"!!

How about we use the manpower to go looking for the next Abel Arango? You know, the guy with the arrest warrant for violent crimes that we have an address for...

if it was laying next to the fountain... is it still illegal to pick it up? does change in a fountain mean it then belongs to someone in particular?

Give a penny, take a penny? What happens to the dreams of the little girl who tossed the coins into the fountain? Do the dreams remain, or does the loser who stole the coins get the dreams, too?

I recommend a 42 day boycott of Coastland Mall.
(and a one-way ticket back to Rockford for RockfordGrad).

This sounds more like an excuse to remove someone from the mall property that wasn't "desirable" than a criminal act. I can't believe the judge even set a bond on this.

I appreciate the compassion shown here by most Neapolitans.

RockfordGrad do us a favor, take your ideologies back to Rockford, Illinois. This isn't about Democrats or Republicans.
_______________________________________
POST #15:
It cost more in gas to drive him to the clink than he actually "stole"!!

Excellent point!
_______________________________________

Maybe his wishes never came true, so he was getting a refund.

Wonder who called it in...
Dispatcher: 911. What is your emergency?

Outraged Citizen: Some guy is fishing for coins in the fountain here at Overpriced Mall. I'm an outraged citizen. Do something, quick!

Dispatcher: We're sending someone right away. Wait! The guy we were sending just got laid off.

OMG

This is ridiculous. Leave the guy alone. Who hasn't picked up money from a parking lot or the floor of a store? Are the police / mall out of their mind? What a joke and a waste of tax payers money -- the mall and Naples police should be ashamed of themselves!

RockfordGrad, just take it back to whatever Rockford it is that you come from! This isn't about Democrats or Republicans.

Hmm musta been a slow crime day to even bother with this.

It's on the Homepage of NDN. :)

i agree with you truth1 #27
they should be ashamed .
i like to know how many officers and police unites where sent to take care of this matter
and to waste gas at our taxpayers expence

What can you buy with 42cents, American money?? What a waiste of tax money. Maybe the man is homeless. Wouldn't it made more sense to have him throw the change back into the fountain, and remove him from the mall? Rent a mall cop, probably called for back up. Did they taser him??

This is the stupidest thing!!!!
Why would this man get arrested over .42????

#22 by fedup: TOO FUNNY!!!

also, from whom was he allegedly "stealing" anyway? it's not like he stole a bagel from a bagel shop owner who paid wholesale for bagel to re-sell retail, or a trinket from a kiosk mananger who sells the trinket for profit there in the center of the mall.

seriously, from who was he stealing? isn't that little gem of info necessary to the prosecutor's case? who is the injured party your honor? c'mon!

Oh, could you imagine filing a personal civil lawsuit like this for a $0.42 loss then tacking on punitive damages, attorneys fees, and court costs? The judge would most probably sanction the complainant for filing a "frivolous lawsuit."

STOP WASTING THE TAXPAYERS MONEY ON FRIVOLITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#22 by fedup: TOO FUNNY!!!

also, from whom was he allegedly "stealing" anyway? it's not like he stole a bagel from a bagel shop owner who paid wholesale for bagel to re-sell retail, or a trinket from a kiosk manager who sells the trinket for profit there in the center of the mall.

seriously, from whom was he stealing? isn't that little gem of info necessary to the prosecutor's case? who is the injured party your honor? c'mon!

Oh, could you imagine filing a personal civil lawsuit like this for a $0.42 loss then tacking on punitive damages, attorneys fees, and court costs? The judge would most probably sanction the complainant for filing a "frivolous lawsuit."

STOP WASTING THE TAXPAYERS MONEY ON FRIVOLITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i agree w/all the above who have called this what it is: a waste of taxpayer funds for a frivolous crime. What they need to do is take this guy to the charitable organization that the fountain money goes too and make him stand in front of the organization's board as too why he was stealing from them.
Anything that actually involves the court system with this guy is a ridiculous waste of money and time in an already overburden system.
The sad truth is, what this guy did was a crime-the pettyiest of petty ones, but still a crime.

H8_Old_Geezers, lol, GOOD ONE!
__________________________________

Post #36:
Oh, could you imagine filing a personal civil lawsuit like this for a $0.42 loss then tacking on punitive damages, attorneys fees, and court costs? The judge would most probably sanction the complainant for filing a "frivolous lawsuit."

Excellent point!

It seems to me he is a Democrat and was following our next Presidents wish for more CHANGE.

I know it needs help .
Please feel free to re write and improve

This is a big reason why todays generation is so messed up. Every wrong act should have a consequence. I'll bet every hard crimminal started out with little wrong doings that escalated into big crimes. Maybe this is a bit harsh for him...but I'll bet he never steals again.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Mall security should never have called this in, nor should they have pressed charges. They are wannabe police officers looking for any type of action to utilize their authority. The Naples Police Department is not responsible.

Should we deport him back to Hungary?

Or was he a well indowed man from Gary Indiana

Was he a HUNG GARIAN

~~~Three turds in a fountain~~~~
~~~Please don't pull the string~~~
~~~Drive Laszlo to the mountain~~~
~~~Let him talk to King~~~
That kind've sticks in my ear =>
I have BEEEEEEN to the mountain!!!!

I have read some stupid stories, yet this is the most stupid waste of tax payer $ I think I have ever read.
The money involved to transport him to jail to keep him in jail, the lawyers involved, the time and $ used to investigate and print.....good grief!
I guess that I may no longer pick up money off of the sidewalk, that someone threw away, because Naples may claim it's their own!

I'm with you rockford-these clowns are making him the victum--that's what libs do.

Try putting on polyester, a duty belt that weighs anywhere from 25-30 pounds, being constantly aware that any “routine” activity could mean the end of your life, and facing uncertainty on each call you are dispatched to. aren't they paid to do it? i work in construccion it is hard work too
i choose to do it knowing that there is lots of risks in it
the officers have a choice to do somthing else but they choose to be officers knowing the risks involve

What about the news coverage of the slain officer's funeral. The news should prioritize its stories. It is rediculous to spend so much time on this.

Lock up this man over 42 lousy cents, but lets the lovely human being like Abel Arango roaming free in the street
and end up shot the cop at point blank range.
I don't get it. Can anyone explain the logic of it?

Officers work long hours and are committed to protecting and serving the public. Try putting on polyester, a duty belt that weighs anywhere from 25-30 pounds, being constantly aware that any “routine” activity could mean the end of your life, and facing uncertainty on each call you are dispatched to.
aren't they paid to do it? i work in construccion it is hard work too
i choose to do it knowing that there is lots of risks in it
the officers have a choice to do somthing else but they choose to be officers knowing the risks involved

Did anyone think that he might be destitute, and is looking forward to be taken care of by the system until this is thrown out? 3 hot and a cot...

Rockford I bet if you were starving you wouldn't have so much to say...$.42 doesn't buy drugs or alcohol ok?!? Poor guy...

Let me ask you something, if I throw two quarters on the ground in the mall parking lot and walk away, later somebody else picks them up, should that person be charged with theft? Even if I or the land owner wanted to press charges??

Why does the fact that the coins are underwater make any difference?

How would you like to be the arresting officer booking this man on this major crime? The meeting in the morning in front of all his fellow officers would go something like this: Captain Smith-allright men-we would all like to congradulate the arresting officer on the biggest bust in Collier County's history.The commendation goes to the arresting officer in the mall fountain incident.Can you imagine this officer going through this.The cop is the victum.He's branded for his entire career as the cop who solved the fountain Penny Pick'in Caper!!!

The man was arrested for providing the officer with a fake ID not 42 cents.

"Naples police report this morning that a Bonita Springs man ***faces petty theft charges*** for allegedly stealing 42 cents from a fountain Monday at the Coastland Center mall"

glenharrell that makes a huge difference, where did you hear that?

he was booked under petit theft.

With all the company time lost in these posts, we could have all pitched in and paid his bail, and then some.

I am the Coastland Center mall manager. The arrest report is being amended to give the details, but it doesnt matter, now this story is gone global.

Glenharrell
So where does the money go? And is it posted that one cannot pilfer?

Glenharrell,

Why is the charge theft if he was arrested for giving false identification? It clearly states that the security guard wanted to press charges. Mall security can't press charges for this guy giving a real cop a false name/ID. Don't write that the details don't matter, evidently they matter to you if you posted on here in the first place.

By the way, I'm highly doubtful that Coastland Center donates the fountain money to charity. Highly.

Thank goodness no one got hurt.

Leave it to the good old Naples Daily Enquirer to print misinformation and bold face lies to get everyone excited.

americanpie, what do ya think, they sit around and make this up?

It's a crime report....like the Circle of Sisters and everything else in Naples...it is newsworthy.

I've seen children remove coins from a fountain and throw these coins back in...it's cute, too.

Note to self: Stay AWAY from FOUNTAINS at Coastland Mall.

A felony, too......I feel sorry for the man.

Nah, they just over embellish and omit where convenient.

Just another stupid crime to jam up the court system and make Collier County one of the richest counties in the state.

#69...nope, I don't feel stupid at all.

This was a joke right? This man wasn't actually arrested for stealing 42 cents, was he?

WOW!!! What a splendid way to use tax payer dollars. I'm almost positive that the rent-a-cop security guard knew little of the consequences of his actions, and how arresting the man would cost significantly more than it would have to let him be, and/or give the man a warning.

At the minimum, arresting this 42 cent thief is going to ring up costs in excess of 100.00 dollars and may even reach into the thousands.

Hell if it makes Coastland Center Mall and its rent-a-cop security employees happy, I'll be glad to donate a couple bucks to have the charges dropped, because in the end, it’s either the 42 cents now or the hundreds/thousands of dollars later. God knows I'm not paying to support the decisions of a rent-a-cop, after all his decisions landed him that stupendous job title!

KENT SECURITY ALL THE WAY BABY!!!!

Wet foot/Dry foot?

Sunshine is right, reread the article.

It's 6:11 and I STILL don't feel stupid.
$4,998.58 more and he could join the CIRCLE!!!

Just the fact that this arrest actually made headlines and network news just shows how ridiculous it actually is in the first place. Look in police beat any given day and you'll see thefts galore that never become more than a short paragraph. This is obviously the media's way of saying "give me a f-ing break", without actually saying it.

I fail to see the crime here. I think the poor fellow may have a fat lawsuit against the mall.
From everything I know about those boneheads at Coastland I feel pretty sure that the money in the fountain goes to management.

He was just trying to help his wife raise the 5G's to join our illustrious circle!

maybe he only wanted to donate 58 cents and after putting in a dollar he just got his change back

#69.... I don't feel stupid either...in fact I'm feeling blessed to know I'm alive, and THANKFUL for what I do have.

I feel very sorry for this man, and the mere fact he was arrested for 42 cents.

VERY SAD situation.

Leave it up to good ole Collier County. The cops in New York, Chicago, or Miami would have laughed it off.

does the mall pay taxes on all the funds collected from the fountains?

HA!! I agree with most of the comments, but they should have make the guy throw the cents back in the fountain.... come on ppl!!! lend a guy 42 cents.... There are worst situations, but this is NUTS!!! I feel sorry for the guy too, now his dreams are over!!!

I clearly read in the article that there were rumors of him providing false identification, but those claims were incorrect.

Also, it stated that there were signs around the fountain which read "Coins donated to Habitat for Humanity."

Did y'all not read the entire article or has it been updated since?

Do the Hokiepokie and turn yourself around...love your screen name. 2 CUTE!

SO HOW ARE THESE CLAIMS INCORRECT?

Do TELL?

This isnt the first time or the last time SW Fla will make national news for the insane rules, regulations, laws, codes, etc.. I know everyone remembers the little girl with the lemonade stand, that also made national news along with the girl, oh, sorry, validictorian from Estero High, (Lee Co.) that couldnt walk with her class due to a steak knife in her car after her families move. Not only did that make national news, I read about it in Readers Digest. Our community is a laughing stock of the rest of the State/Country.

Well.... this guy got more than the SOB a.k.a. drunken man who drove into my house last month. Then to find out he didn't have a drivers license, most likely an illegal from south of the border! Cops couldn't charge him with DUI because I didn't see him do it! The car was not even insured and it was not his. Our homeowners now has to pay $10,000+ plus to restore our home, and we have a deductible. The man had a $500.00 bond only to bond out @ 10%. Now probably slinging a bottle of whiskey somewhere here on the streets of Naples. Just when you thought "home" was safe. True story! It's bullhorse feathers.

What a joke. The guy is obviously so poor that he needed to take 42 cents from a fountain that was destined to "Habitat for Humanity," a supposed CHARITY, a CHARITY that is supposed to be in the business of HELPING THE POOR, yet the CHARITY doesn't have it in its heart to simply let the poor guy have the 42 cents?! I mean gee, don't people throw money in there in the first place to HELP THE POOR?!

Note to self: Never donate another cent to Habitat for Humanity.

And besides, how does anyone know the guy didn't throw the money in their first himself, and decided against it afterwards? What kind of government would waste tax payer money on something as extremely FRIVOLOUS as this?

The real crime in all of this is the guy being arrested in the first place over it, rather than simply being told he needed to put the money back, that and if Habitat for Humanity goes ahead and presses charges against the poor guy.

Things must be pretty slow in Naples.

Note to self again: Stay out of Naples.

Blame the nothing better to do, nosy customer that ran and told the mall security. some people live to snoop out everything everyone is doing so they can run and tell. Those were the kids that were so disliked in school(I'm telling). And the Naples police is obligated to respond when called, no matter what the call is about. They should of let the man put the money back and asked him to leave. What a waste of tax payer money. Thanks Mr/Mrs. Nosy

Interesting that the article doesn't report if the guy made a confession with respect to his alleged major crime spree. If he did not, it could be Coastland and its security company filling his pockets with a hefty check for his arrest and detention.

Wow, write in here that you plan on boycotting Naples in here, and this lousy NaplesNews.com removes such a thing FAST. (Like in less than 2 minutes)

Gee, obviously it's in bed with Naples Chamber of Commerce, ahem.

What a lousy town.

He needs the money; let him have it.

Would it make a difference if it was a couple dollars?
How about a donation jar on a store counter meant for a sick child?
We see that happen and its pretty consistent that everyone thinks THAT person should be flogged.

This guy stole money which was donated by people for a specific charitable organization. Yes, it was only 42 cents, but how much longer would he have gone if he had not been stopped by mall security.

Ultimately, it was up to the mall whether to prosecute or not. The officer responding sees that a crime has in fact occurred and the mall representative is willing to press charges. The police officer is required to take action.

The police captain even specifically said he did not give fake I'd. So all you have is the theft.

If you have an issue, take it up with the mall. The cop may or may not agree with the situation but they have no options.

I am not sure if everyone read the entire article or if it was updated? The man was taking money from a fountain. 42 cents. given. Fountain identified as money donated to hbitat for society. given. now is this something the man s been seen doing frequently ? unknown. was he chased off after ONLY getting .42 cents unknown. I find it strange that everyone thinks of t as such a minor incident, never donate to this charity again? crazy. charity wasnt pressing charges. Mall security did. Don't like it. tough. i commend those who reported it and followed thru with it. This is the way its supposed to happen. In some countries they just break or cut off their hands for theft. This was Only 42 cents. yes but what if he was grabbing charity boxes off of counters in stores ? whats the difference? Money was designated for Charity! Not for him. I am surethere are other avenues for assistance than just helping yourself to what ISNT theirs. 42 cent is okay to take? what about 42$, 420$? its a petty crime and will be delt with as such. In a country that upholds the law. Be accountable 4 ur actions.! Integrity-what do u do do when nobodys watching? Hold him accountable! one way or another. Prosecuter is salary paid.public defender- salary paid judge-salary paid police salary paid. most of them overpaid where is the waste of resourses again? Being held accountable thats the real benefit of all this!!

Whatever happened to cops just giving a warning? Seems nowadays that whenever the cops are called somebody is going to jail.

It is no wonder people are loosing respect for the police.

As for the rent a cop at the mall. Pathetic.

(That is unless there is more to the story than has been reported or if this was not the guys? first offence.)

Who the hell says this is stealing? If someone drops a quarter and I eventually pick it up (on mall property) is this considered stealing?? No, it has to be over a certain dollar amount for me to report that I found it. People throw their money on the ground, grass, fountain...that's free game. You throw it into a cup for the specific reason of donating it, you have a point. Just because they had a sign saying anything thrown in would be donated, doesn't make it a donation cup.

Wikipedia
Libertarianism is a label used by a broad spectrum[1] of political philosophies which prioritize individual liberty[2] and seek to either minimize or eliminate the state.[3] What it means to be a libertarian in a political sense is a contentious issue, especially among libertarians themselves. Other than upholding liberty, there is no single theory that can be safely identified as the libertarian theory, and probably no single principle or set of principles on which all libertarians can agree.[4] Libertarian is an antonym of authoritarian.[5]
Thinker-an intellectual - the one who tries to use his or her intellect to work, study, reflect, speculate on, or ask and answer questions with regard to a variety of different ideas.

kind of an oxy moron?

42 cents got him also over 100 comments. Evidence people need some entertainment in Collier. Can't believe nobody ask for deportation!!! Are we getting better or we only as for deportation of hispanics???
May be this guy donated the money and then he changed his mind.

The Police and officials are MORONS. They have no respect for the citizens ( AKA Taxpayer's) money. This takes them away from real problems and crime.
Spank him and send him home, DOPES.

And what kind of consequences do we suggest illegals should get for all of the money that they steal from we legal citizens? Everyone knows that this amount -- and associated problems -- is helping to make our nation a 2nd World country, and on it's way to becoming a 3rd World country.

NDN, take the man's pic down. It's probably too late now, but, really, hasn't he been embarrassed enough?

PRCUSN: You could not be more correct. In fact, many "libertarians/Libertarians" DEMAND that they government stick its nose into the lives of citizens to a much greater degree than most Democrats have ever considered. I have no idea why so many of them hang around at GOP events, acting lofty, since many of them are to the LEFT of many Democrats. Most of them act "superior" yet they haven't actually studied much history, or know much about political science. Many of them are old white guys who want to be important, but haven't a clue. They rarely do any work, never write checks, but are the first on their feet to grandly proclaim that they are "Libertarians" as though the word has a special cachet. Many of them think they have some sort of inside track on "liberty" but that is pure hog-wash. Their name does not identify any particular philosophy, even though they might want it to; sort of like eating at a place called "Mom's."

As a lifelong, rock-ribbed Republican (from the state of Maine) I would much rather deal with Democrats than self-described "Libertarians." At least I know what a Democrat is; libertarians/Libertarians can be anything they want to be, any day of the week. They have zero common standards, principles, goals, missions, or history. IOW, they are flakes and dreamers and kooks; not to be taken seriously.

What a collar! Man, I'd feel as safe in that mall as I would after being bossed around at an airport by the TSA.
Has anyone noticed that between the spycams everywhere, our loss of our right to our own income from the IRS and our own children from the SS (that's social services, not the Nazi SS, I think), developers having the government take your house from you, owls and fish having more rights than people, your ability to drive around without some nanny writing you a ticket if you are not strapped in properly, and even your ability to be free from arrest without having to present your "papers", our phone/internet use is monitored, and the media and all the sheeple are all to happy to go along with any trumped up accusation... Don't you all just feel so saaafe?
I think we all need to reread the Declaration of Independance, that is those of us who can actually read after graduating from a government school.

earlier stated, we are cutting jobs but continue to waste Naples money with petty crap like this ? this cost us as taxpayers thousands in the end, I cant wait to see a mall cop and tel them to meet me at the fountian, i am going to steal money for a happy meal... IDIOTS

Perhaps he forgot his money, borrowed the 42 cents and intended to repay it. For 42 cents, I would give him the doubt. How come I have never seen or read of a single shoplifitng incident reported happening in Coastland Mall? I bet there are hundreds of shoplifing crimes in that mall that happen, are documented and yet do not get reported in the NDN - WHY?

Looks like a few of you got the picture right, most of you haven't figured it out yet!Where do you draw the line where he gets arrested? If not 42 cents is it a dollar, ten? twenty? C'mon it's the principle people, he was stealing!

Maybe he needed the 42 cents to get a stamp so he could send off for his green card so he could work???? (don't bash me please, just a train of thought going).
Another newspaper reported that he could have been cited instead of arrested for this...where's the rest of the info? Are the police "hiding" some of the information from the media? I bet they are!!!! Typical for Collier...

Maybe we can make this into a play?

"Les Miserables" hits Naples...

No... wait... I think it's been done.

Maybe we can turn this into a play"

We can call it "Les Miserables in Naples"

No, wait... I think it's been done...

Here's what kills me about the great city of Naples. Everyone is all worked up over a guy that took 42 cents out of a fountain. But, no one seems to give a hooey about a 16 year old waiving a gun around and shooting at a restaurant.

Comment #97 is the good one. The snitch should be fingered. We could all show up and throw him/ her into the fountain.

Snitching has nothing good about it, especially during our age of universal surveillance. And to press charges with a sworn statement! Hold the snitch under water until s/he splutters, "Sorry" to the rest of the world.

Maybe he needed bus fare to get home. Why would anyone take coins out of a fountain? Whatever the reason, it's probably got some pathos in it. Both the customer who reported him and the security guard who detained him obviously don't have enough to do to keep themselves occupied. To inflict this incredible level of ritual humiliation on the man through the courts and through the media for a theft of 42 cents is insanity. Did he even know the money in the fountain is for charity? Looking at his mugshot, it wouldn't surprise me if he needs some charity himself. But the only thing he will NOT get is charity, not from the people of today, not from the punked-out population, steeped in drugs, that calls itself American citizens today.

They needed some body to do some community service and pick up trash.

How much gas was wasted bringing the police car to the mall, paper work, back to the satation, officer time solving real crimes?. Pathetic!. Then again!. Maybe coffee and donuts come fron that fountain!.LOL

What everyone has failed to mention is that this individual is here illegally, which means he didn't have the papers to get a job; therefore, to survive he would have had to continue to steal. Perhaps the reason he cannot be reached for comment is because he is waiting for the authorities to pick him up to deport him back to his country. You cannot have it both ways, complain about all of the illegals, then complain about the individuals that are unable to give the illegal a break. If he had verifyable id, the outcome may have been different. The fact that he is here illegally plays an important part as to what transpired. Know all of the facts before making rediculous posts. Also, an officer was slain a few days ago, shouldn't we be focusing on that and not the illegal, which was arrested on a petit theft charge?

i think they should have made him put it back...then gave him some money out of their pocket...does anyone see how gross this really is...we've protected our precious 42 cents and threw a human away...do you think the fountain misses the money, there needs to be a change of heart in collier county...What who Jesus have done???

In the Drudge Report today:
http://www.drudgereport.com/

Those mall security guards are a joke and nothing but lovely human beings. I was told I looked suspicious by one of them a couple months ago and suggested I leave the premises. I told him I had every right to be there with a few expletives in there. The little punk backed off and took off on his bike.
For Heather to press charges over 42 cents is joke and a slap in the face to tax payers. The amount of money just to transport this guy to jail was more than 42 cents. Another only in Naples occurrence.

Yes, absolutely, whatever happened to "warnings".
This is ridiculous! Leave the guy alone and move on--Take your notes and if he refuses to stop fishing for coins in the fountain, THEN you have a problem. Dont Sweat the Small Stuff !!

Come on people! Has the world become so hard and bitter toward people that we can't give a little compassion? Nevermind the cost of the court now but wouldn't it have been easier to have talked to the guy and just given him 42 cents of your own money and made him put the other 42 cents back in the fountain. People have fallen on hard times. Yes he shouldn't have taken the money but show some grace. What happened to love your neighbor and do onto others as you'd have them do unto you. No one in the life can honestly say they have lived their entire life without needing a friend or someone to help them at one point in their life. Sounds like a lot of folks need to hear about Jesus and learn how to share his love.

Did anyone actually read the story? There is a sign in front of the fountain that says the money goes charity. The Habitat for Humanity is the recipient; it is illegal for steal form a charitable organization. And the article states that the report of the fake ID is not true. While I agree this is a waste of time and taxpayer money, I simply wanted to point out the obvious.

So, how about all of the money being stolen from legal citizens EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR by the illegals here in this country?

The amount is staggering, and we are close to being a 2nd World Country, and quickly on our way to becoming the all prized 3rd World Country. Wake up.

If this is what happens for stealing .42 cents, then it looks like the illegals should be doing some time. Time to stop the hand-outs and start deporting and enforcing our laws. What a concept.

Way to go Naples! I just read this on the Drudge Report!

Comment # 97 is right. Snitching is something that should be punishable. To snitch and then press charges for something so absurd deserves condemnation. NDN should reveal the name of the snitch so we can push him/ her into the fountain and dunk 'em.

The surveillance cameras could be used to prosecute us all.

There is a sign on the front fountain that says it is for charity. The Habitat for Humanity is the recipient; it is illegal for steal form a charitable organization. And the article states that the report of the fake ID is not true. While I agree this is a waste of time and taxpayer money, I simply wanted to point out the obvious.

President Bush lied us into a war, killing thousands of people and drove the national debt to over 9 trillion dollars, Bill Clinton sent our factories to Communist China and put millions of middle class workers out of good paying jobs and neither Presidents received one day in jail, great story!

I agree with Libertarian post #104. Whatever happened to the police just giving a warning? The mall security/head administration should be ashamed of themselves for pressing charges! -- This really makes me want to avoid shopping at that place. -- Prcusn you are very hard nosed. Not everything is so black and white. For example if a person was driving fast to get to the hospital because of a life and death situation. I suppose the way you would see it is that they should be arrested or ticketed even though they were trying to save a life?? -- Also, remember the story a few years back of the young girl in Naples that was turned in by her neighbor for having a Lemonade stand on the street corner? Why do you think she ended up on the Jay Leno show? – Because it was a JOKE! The charges were ridiculous! -- There is a thing called common sense-- and in this area/circumstance it's not being used.

A penny for your thoughts: is this racial profiling from the Collier Sheriff Office trained under the 287(g) program?

Many of you are missing the point...if you don't prosecute this guy, then everyone will be jumping in the fountain for change, to cool off, for whatever. You have to do something, as silly as it may sound. Plus, the 100+ comments are only because Drudge posted this story on his website.

I would have RockfordGrad's child or grandchild arrested for petit theft!

RockfordGrad, you can't even get a pack of gum for 42 cents

ZEB,
Habitat had nothing to do with the arrest of this person. Mall security had him arrested. Please blame the right person, the person who stole money that was not his to take. Yes arrest and jail is a bit much but there have to be consequences to all of our actions. Do we tell our children that you can steal as long as what you steal isn't worth too much?
Community service working with Habitat seems a fitting place to begin.

Cfioren317 I don't believe that everyone now will be jumping in fountains for money (for lack of charges being brought against this man). Plain and simple he should have just been told to skedaddle and not come back-- give a warning first. Yes, what he did was wrong, but it does not deserve an arrest. As far as a child taking a pack of gum -- I'd make my child take it back and apologize to the manager or customer service. Wrongs can be made right. A warning would have been sufficient in this circumstance.

So, I guess the only thing that might make some of you closet Nazis stop and think is to ask:
What would Jesus do?

Remember: this is the agency that gave us the black faced Narcs, the 89 year old busted for "beating up" a cop, The Great Lemonaid Stand Raid and the Diploma Mill cops. Now we can add the 42 cent caper to the list. Great going guys, you always make us proud in the national media.

It is possible that this fellow could not read the sign, he appears to be a recent emigre from eastern Europe, where, no doubt, if a person is in such need as to take coins from a fountain passersby would probably even give him more coins.

naples00native
Don't forget the two high school girls that were chased down and tackled by cops just accross from Coastland, supposedly they resembled some dangerous wanted criminals!

If I was the responding officer, I would have put this guy in the back of my car, drove a couple miles down the street and let him out---I wouldve told him to never show his face in the mall again and have a nice day. Scare him, then let him go. Im sick about the fact that I have a child molester living in my neighborhood, free as a bird, yet this poor soul is arrested for flippin' change. Get a grip.

Great: those were Hunter's boys trolling in the City limits. Same mentality though.

Come to think of it, maybe those 21 job cuts took place in the WRONG departments...

The unfortunate thing is all those peoples wishes be put on hold until case is resolved and coins are set back in fountain?

deport him

The arresting officer was a Naples Police officer, not a CCSO. Because the city doesn't have a jail, all criminals go to the county jail. The city has a holding cell that can hold maybe 2.5 people.

$.42 isn't worth getting arrested and charged over?

Then exactly what is the lowest dollar amount someone should get arrested over?

Should we just factor in the costs of the process to arrest, try, and punish the alleged criminal then just say that anything less than that is not a crime?

So where is the breaking point that a person should be arrested for if accused of stealing money?

Lots of us Neapolitan teachers, custodians, and bus drivers are going to become furtive fountain snatchers. Where else can we go to beg?

Around 11:15 a.m. Monday, a customer at the Coastland Center mall approached a mall security guard, and told her that a man was stealing money from a fountain outside, police reported. The security guard, Heather Watson, found the man, later identified as Mujzer, and detained him until police arrived.

good work heather, did you took the name of the perzon that acused the men of stealin, your going to need it as your witness when this case goes to court,

RE: #106 Posted by PRCUSN on July 23, 2008 at 12:03 a.m.

1st. I think the word moron would better apply to anyone who gets his or her facts from Wikipedia.

2nd. Libertarians believe in less government not bloated liberty infringing bureaucracies.

3rd. Umm just what part of my post # 104 didn't you agree with?

?And finally, I'm willing to bet you are just another simple-minded lefty/democrat/socialist/ progressive/communist sympathizer. Truth is no matter what you may call yourself; there really is not a lick a difference between them.

So I'm not surprised at you lack of intellect.

RE: #110 Posted by Arthurly on July 23, 2008 at 1:11 a.m.

As for you woefully uneducated description of what a Libertarian is and your statement
Quote - PRCUSN: You could not be more correct. In fact, many "libertarians/Libertarians" DEMAND that they government stick its nose into the lives of citizens to a much greater degree than most Democrats have ever considered. - End Quote

You sir you are a shinning example of colossal ignorance!

For your own good take some time and try to educate yourself, maybe that way you will not appear to be such a fool.

As Libertarians, we seek a world of liberty; a world in which all individuals are sovereign over their own lives and no one is forced to sacrifice his or her values for the benefit of others.

We believe that respect for individual rights is the essential precondition for a free and prosperous world, that force and fraud must be banished from human relationships, and that only through freedom can peace and prosperity be realized.

Consequently, we defend each person's right to engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest, and welcome the diversity that freedom brings. The world we seek to build is one where individuals are free to follow their own dreams in their own ways, without interference from government or any authoritarian power.
http://www.lp.org/platform

More from your witless post… Quote - Many of them are old white guys who want to be important, but haven't a clue. They rarely do any work, never write checks, - End Quote

LMAO. I have been self-sufficient since the age of sixteen and yes have been know to write a check or two. It makes me wonder what world you are living in. Wow!

Also you state. Quote - they are flakes and dreamers and kooks; not to be taken seriously. - End Quote
I have to ask were you looking in the mirror when you wrote that? After reading your post I could not have come up with a better description of you if I tried.

As for me I agree with most of the Libertarian platform. IMHO the main area of their weakness would have to be their approach to foreign policy. In this day end age American can not be as isolated as some in the Libertarian party desire. What I really would love to see is our government and our representatives on both sides of the isle to do nothing more than respect and follow the United States Constitution as it was written.

Oh and by the way unless there is more to the story than was reported I still believe the mall security and the police overreacted. If the story is as was reported here I think a simple warning would have been sufficient.

naplesska,
Where do they put the other .5 of the person?

This is no more a "victimless crime" than if someone snatched money out of your hands as you were preparing to drop it in the Salvation Army bucket at Christmas time. The fact that one of the victims (the donator) is unaware is irrelevant. At the same time, it seems odd that this would be prosecuted when so many cities across the nation are refusing to prosecute certain crimes such as illegal immigration under the guise of not being important enough of worth the time and resources. It would be interesting I think to know what crimes the Naples Police won’t prosecute. I bet we’d find a few laws being ignored by policy that are more serious than petty theft of $0.42; and if that’s the case, what would that say about the real reasons these other crimes are ignored?

Do the cops arrest any real criminals anymore? What about the millions of illegal aliens who are felons? Uncontrolled, illegal immigration, yet another infringement on our rights by the gov't. Add it to the ever-growing list of violations:
They violate the 1st Amendment by opening mail, caging demonstrators and banning books like "America Deceived" from Amazon.
They violate the 2nd Amendment by confiscating guns during Katrina.
They violate the 4th Amendment by conducting warrant-less wiretaps.
They violate the 5th and 6th Amendment by suspending habeas corpus.
They violate the 8th Amendment by torturing.
They violate the entire Constitution by starting 2 illegal wars based on lies and on behalf of a foriegn gov't.
Impeach them all and save this great country.
Last link (unless Google Books caves to the gov't and drops the title):